Latest York and California make retail theft top 2024 priority

The governors of Latest York and California announced sweeping plans to crack down on retail crime this week, as trade associations and police departments lobby for presidency motion to curb theft.

The plans include latest laws designed to extend the penalties for retail crime offenses and more funding for police departments and district attorney’s offices to assist them tackle theft. 

Each Govs. Kathy Hochul of Latest York and Gavin Newsom of California, who represent the country’s largest Democratic strongholds, made stopping retail theft a top priority this yr as voters from either side of the aisle point to crime as considered one of their biggest concerns ahead of the 2024 election. The sheer indisputable fact that major “tough on crime” platforms are coming from Democratic governors of progressive states also threatens to upend a long time of partisan political fault lines. In the fashionable era, Republicans have traditionally fought to stiffen criminal penalties, while Democrats have sought to handle deeper causes of crime, like poverty, inequality and concrete unemployment.

But not anymore.

Since 2022, not less than nine states — including six in 2023 — passed laws to impose harsher penalties for organized retail crime offenses, and Latest York and California could join that list. Retailers and trade associations across the country have worked to get the bills written and past the finish line.

It’s tough to find out whether theft offenses are up nationally, because it’s a criminal offense that usually goes unreported and undetected. It is also unclear how effective the proposed laws will probably be.

Experts previously told CNBC that laws that increase penalties for retail crime offenses may not actually reduce theft offenses, and will disproportionately harm marginalized groups. Similar strategies implemented to handle the drug trade have done little to scale back the use or availability of illegal narcotics. Just like low-level drug dealers, many serial thieves face mental illness, poverty or drug addiction, law enforcement agents previously told CNBC. 

Hochul in her State of the State address Tuesday said she is planning to introduce bills that will create criminal penalties for online marketplaces and third-party sellers that contribute to the sale of stolen goods. She also goals to work with the legislature to strengthen penalties for many who assault retail employees. 

As well as, Hochul plans to establish two latest task forces dedicated to tackling theft – one for constructing cases against organized retail theft rings and one other that addresses so-called smash-and-grab robberies.

As a part of the initiatives, Hochul called for expanded funding for state police departments and district attorney’s offices to raised equip them to tackle retail theft and other property crimes like burglary. She also wants to ascertain a tax credit for business owners who implement store security measures to assist them offset those costs.

“Across our nation and our state, retail theft has surged, creating fear amongst customers and employees. Thieves openly tear items off shelves and menace employees. Owners go broke replacing broken windows and stolen goods, driving many out of business,” Hochul said in her address.

“These attacks are nothing lower than a breakdown within the social order. I say: no more. The chaos must end.”

Newsom said on Wednesday that California will invest $1.1 billion over the following 4 years to handle “safety and security” – $373.5 million of which will probably be dedicated to combating organized retail theft, in response to his office. 

In his state budget address, Newsom said 52 sheriff’s and police departments have already received upward of $250 million in latest grants to combat retail theft. He added district attorney’s offices are receiving assistance to advance prosecution efforts. 

“We mean business on this space,” Newsom said.

Newsom this week also called for brand new laws that will address organized retail crime. He wants to focus on particularly people who find themselves accused of repeatedly stealing from the identical stores and “skilled thieves” who resell stolen goods. 

The proposals include latest penalties that concentrate on individuals who engage in retail theft, including by increasing felony penalties and prison time, and bolstering existing laws so police can arrest theft suspects even in the event that they didn’t witness the crime because it was happening. 

Newsom can be calling for changes to the state penal code that will allow police to aggregate theft incidents inside a given time period so it’s easier to charge repeat offenders with grand theft and other felonies. Currently, someone has to steal greater than $950 in goods in a single incident to be charged with grand theft in California.

— CNBC’s Christina Wilkie contributed to this report.

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